Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County, Virginia
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County	Arlington County
State	Virginia
Founded	1801
Seat	Arlington County Courthouse
Largest city	Arlington, Virginia

Contents

Arlington County, Virginia is a county located in the Northern Virginia region, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States of America. The county is home to many notable landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon, and the United States Air Force Memorial. It is also close to other major attractions, such as the National Mall, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Kennedy Center. The county is bordered by Fairfax County, Virginia to the west, City of Falls Church, Virginia to the northwest, and Alexandria, Virginia to the southeast.

Geography

Arlington County is situated on the western bank of the Potomac River, which forms the border between Virginia and Maryland. The county's terrain is characterized by low-lying areas near the river and higher elevations to the west, with the Piedmont region to the north and the Coastal Plain to the east. The county is also home to several parks and nature reserves, including Theodore Roosevelt Island, Arlington County Parks, and the Mount Vernon Trail, which runs along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Nearby cities include Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, and Fairfax, Virginia, while other notable geographic features in the area include the Shenandoah River, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Chesapeake Bay.

The area that is now Arlington County has a rich and diverse history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleoindian period. The county was originally part of the Fairfax County territory, but was separated in 1801 to form a new county, which was named after the Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee. During the American Civil War, the county was a key location for the Union Army, with the Battle of Arlington Mills and the Battle of Fort Stevens taking place within its borders. The county is also home to the Arlington National Cemetery, which was established in 1864, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was dedicated in 1921. Other notable historical events and figures associated with the county include the Marbury v. Madison case, the War of 1812, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Arlington County was approximately 233,464, with a diverse range of ethnic and racial groups, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and European Americans. The county is also home to a large number of LGBTQ+ individuals and families, with a strong presence of organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National LGBTQ Task Force. The median household income in the county is around $120,000, with a high percentage of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher from institutions such as George Mason University, University of Virginia, and Georgetown University. Nearby cities with similar demographics include Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, while other notable demographic features of the area include the Washington metropolitan area and the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

The economy of Arlington County is driven by a diverse range of industries, including technology, defense, healthcare, and tourism. The county is home to many major companies, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton, as well as government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency. The county is also a hub for startups and small businesses, with organizations such as the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Virginia Technology Council providing support and resources. Other notable economic features of the area include the Dulles Technology Corridor, the Tysons Corner business district, and the Port of Baltimore, while nearby cities with similar economies include Washington, D.C., Reston, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland.

Arlington County is governed by a County Board, which is composed of five members elected by the residents of the county. The county is also represented in the Virginia General Assembly by several delegates and senators, including Barbara Favola and Adam Ebbin. The county has a strong presence of Democratic Party politicians, including Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, while other notable government agencies and institutions in the area include the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the United States Department of Defense. Nearby cities with similar governments include Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, and Fairfax, Virginia, while other notable government features of the area include the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.

Arlington County is served by Arlington Public Schools, which operates several high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools, including Washington-Liberty High School, Yorktown High School, and Arlington Career Center. The county is also home to several private schools, such as Bishop O'Connell High School and St. Agnes School, as well as institutions of higher education, including Marymount University and George Mason University. Other notable educational institutions in the area include the University of Virginia, Georgetown University, and the National Defense University, while nearby cities with similar educational systems include Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, and Fairfax, Virginia. The county is also close to several major research institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Category:Virginia counties